American Airlines Cancels Bereavement Fares

Thursday

Feb 27, 2014 at 12:01 AMFeb 27, 2014 at 9:43 AM

Alex Davies

American Airlines no longer offers emergency or bereavement fares, it announced quietly on its website, adding that it does "offer customers flexible fare options when booking last minute travel for a variety of reasons."

The new policy took effect February 18. According to Travelocity blog The Window Seat, the American's old policy had a fixed, reduced price for each route, and passengers could change their flight as needed. Back in 2004, SmarterTravel found a $40 difference between an American Airlines bereavement fare and the lowest online fare.

George Hobica, the founder of Airfarewatchdog, told Business Insider the bereavement fares weren't popular anyway, "because the savings weren't significant. You'd save more by using the name your own price option on Priceline and that's what I usually suggested people do when they had to travel last minute."

The airline did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but in a statement issued to the AP, it said the change will line up with US Airways, with which it's merging.

According to the AP, Southwest Airlines and Virgin America don't offer bereavement fares. United Airlines offers 5% off the lowest available fare.

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